Case filed over attack on journalist in Manikganj

The victim is Masum Badshah, founder and former general secretary of the Upazila Press Club.

According to Singair Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) J O M Toufiq Azam, the injured journalist himself filed a case on Wednesday night, naming five individuals and accusing a total of 8–10 people in connection with the attack.
The OC confirmed the information on Thursday afternoon.

The named accused are Abdus Salam, 53, from Dalla Madhyapara village; Humayun, 40, from Dalla Laxmipur; Anwar Hossain, 40; Jisan, 22, and Waz Uddin, 45 along with 8–10 unidentified individuals.

According to the case statement, the attack took place around 9:45 AM on Tuesday at Dalla Bazar office of 'Dalla Palli Unnayan O Samaj Kalyan Sangstha', a local development and welfare organization run by Masum. Under the leadership of Abdus Salam, a group of attackers stormed into the office and began to beat him.

The attackers also vandalized his motorcycle.

Later, locals and office staff rescued him and took to National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) in Dhaka.

While undergoing treatment, Masum Badshah said that the attackers are known for their involvement in drug trafficking and other criminal activities in the area.

He stated that the attack was a result of his reports against the attackers corruption.

The attack, he believes, was an attempted murder stemming from his refusal to pay extortion and his reporting on their crimes.

Masum added that he currently feels unsafe due to threats from the accused individuals.

Following the incident, Singair Press Club condemned the attack and demanded justice.

Journalists from Singair and Manikganj, as well as various local social and cultural organizations, have strongly condemned the incident and called for exemplary punishment for the attackers.

Police officials have visited the scene, but no arrests have yet been made.